For years, Microsoft has been trying to explain why we should jab an awkward pointing device at our tablet’s screen, instead of just tapping it with a finger. But after all this time, the reason is clearer than ever.

Hewlett-Packard is embarking upon an interesting bit of salesmanship: the company announced eight new products, tablets and those tablet-laptop hybrids, all with specific applications geared around specific industries, like retail and healthcare.